Phiilppine Football on the rise?

[rowell83]

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Game vs Thais proves RP football on the rise
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 11/25/2005

BACOLOD ? The Philippine men?s football team was still in high spirits the day after its close, fighting 0-1 defeat to the powerhouse Thailand side Wednesday, and this could well carry the team on today as it plays Cambodia in a crucial contest at the Panaad Sports Complex.

To many, the RP XI, reinforced by six Fil-foreign recruits, has proven it?s no longer a minnow in SEA Games football following its impressive stand against Thailand.

And that makes the Nationals the favorites against the Cambodians in their virtual knockout setto at 4:30 p.m.

"The team knows they?re now playing a higher level of game and they?re eager to win," said RP team coach Aris Caslib.

A win by the Nationals against the Cambodians will keep them in contention for the medal play, lining themselves up for another virtual sudden death against the Malaysian side on Nov. 29. A loss means ouster in the tourney after the elimination round.

For the record, the Philippines has yet to beat Cambodia ever. The RP XI? best result in a game versus the Cambodians was a 1-1 tie in a Tiger Cup duel in 1998.

But football watchers here believe the Philippines could now be on its way to its first win over Cambodia considering what the two teams showed in their initial matches in the Games.

While the Philippines put tremendous pressure on Thailand, Cambodia turned to be easy prey for Malaysia, 2-5.

But Philippine Football Federation president Johnny Romualdez cautioned that beating Cambodia is easier said than done. "Though we?re favored because of our performance against Thailand, we must fight to the finish against Cambodia," he said.

Caslib said they made some adjustments in their game which he refused to reveal.

Defensively, Caslib said they have Cambodian players Kouch Sokumpheak, Keo Kosal and Pok Chan Than as marked men.

Meanwhile, the Thai football leaders were still talking about the big scare put up by the Philippines the morning after their match.

"I?m sorry for our fans that our performance was not that great. Our players showed a lot of discipline, but the Philippines has really improved a lot," said Thailand football president Vijitr Getkaew.

"They (the Thais) thought it was going to be easy but they came under pressure. We have to improve," said Thai coach Chanvit Phalajivin "We played with our 100-percent effort but the Philippines held its own."

[lloyd_joy]

The 1 to nil score against power house Thailand is not bad after all. Surely, our National Team showed improvement... i'm very positive we can win against Cambodia this afternoon's game... "Go Team Philippines..."

[darknite]

as of now rp team team is leading cambodia 3-2 at 44 mins in the 2nd half... daogonon na sila.

[darknite]

caligdong just scored a goal! now its 4-2.

[rowell83]

oh yeah!! i watched it also on NBN.. one win more against Malaysia and they will go the semi-finals!!! let's help support and promote football!!

Maayo jud ang mga Younghusbands!!!

[rowell83]

Booters in historic win over Cambodia

Philip Carlo Greatwich scored at the 85th minute to break a 2-all standoff while Emilio Caligdong added another goal seven minutes later as the Philippines completed a historic 4-2 win over Cambodia at the resumption of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games men?s football competitions yesterday at the Panaad Sports Complex in Bacolod City.

With a boisterous hometown crowd behind them, the nationals refused to wilt under pressure this time as Greatwich, one of four Fil-Am recruits tapped to reinforce this year?s squad, had an explosive attack of the Cambodian defense, scoring the go-ahead goal that eventually led to the country?s first-ever win and broke a 10-year losing drought.

The win, which pushed the Philippines to an even 1-1 record and just behind traditional powerhouse squads Thailand and Malaysia in Group A, was the first for the country since it last won a men?s football match during the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Despite frenetic efforts from the Cambodians to tie the match, Iloilo pride Caligdong made his provincemates and throngs of football-crazy Bacolod fans proud with a stirring goal at the 92nd minute to complete the rousing victory.

Another Fil-Am recruit, James Joseph Youngblood and hometown bet Alex Borromeo scored the two other goals for the Philippines, which gave Thailand a scare for most of the first half before yielding a 0-1 loss in the Filipinos? first game last Wednesday. Thailand and Malaysia are holding identical 1-0 records in Group A as of press time.

After Youngblood drew first blood for the Philippines at the 12th minute, Cambodia?s Srey Veasna responded four minutes later to tie the match before both teams struggled to find the goal in their next possessions. In the 65th minute, Borromeo?s goal gave the nationals back the lead, 2-1.

Sensing they would be up for an upset against the hosts, Cambodia quickly fought back as Pok Chan Than responded with a crucial goal at the 76th minute for the game?s last deadlock, 2-all, setting Greatwich and Caligdong?s heroics.